Velocipede



Patented July 14, 1885.

II II- II I'l ||l1ll m I I III I VELOGIPEDE.

E. G, & A. O. LATTA.

' (No Model.)

lilieazemes. 3y

UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE.

EMMIT G. LATTA AND ADRIAN G. LATTA, OF FRIENDSHIP, NEW YORK.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 322,113, dated July 14, 1885.

Application filed March '13, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

is connected with the perch; also, to improve the fastening whereby the handlebars are attached to the steering-head, and, finally, to

improve the means of attaching the handles to the handle-bars.

Our invention consists, to these ends, of the 1mprovements which will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a fragmentary sectional front elevation of the steering-head and handle-bars. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the steeringhead. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are cross-sections of the steering-head in lines as x, y g and z 2, Fig. 2, respectively. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation showing a modified construction of the upper part of the steering-head. Fig. 7 is a cross-section of the handle in line 00 m, Fig. 1.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the steering head; A, the perch, and A the neck or front portion of the perch which enters the steering-head.

B represents the spindle, which is secured in the front portion of the neck A, and pro vided with upper and lower centers, 6 b, on which the steering-head turns. The spindle B is provided with an external screw-thread,

by means of which it is detachably secured in a threaded vertical bore, 0, formed in the front portion of the neck A The centers b b are arranged out of line with the threaded portion of the spindle B, as represented in Fig. 2, so that by giving the spindle B a halfturn in its socket the position of the perch with reference to the steering head and fork can be changed. In the position of the parts represented in full lines in Fig. 2 the perch is brought close to the driving-wheel, being the best position for riding on good roads. By giving the spindle a half-turn the perch assumes the position represented by dotted lines in the same figure, in which the rear wheel is moved farther back and the rake of the front fork is increased, thereby bringing the rider farther back from the center of the drivingwheel, in the position which is most desirable for rough or hilly roads. The extent of variation or adjustment ma be varied by supplying a number of spindles having their centers out of line with the threaded portion to a greater or less extent, and a position of adjustment midway between the two adjustments afforded by a single spindle can be obtained by inserting a straight spindle in which the centers are arranged in line with the threaded portion of the spindle. We prefer to secure the spindle in the neck by a screw-thread; but other modes of fastening may be employed without departing from the spirit of our invention.

G is a set-screw arranged in the neck A and impinging against the spindle B, for further locking the spindle in position after ilnn neck A and replaced by a new one when worn.

D represents the adjusting-screw or adj ustable center bearing secured to the upper portion of the steering-head, and resting upon the upper center, 12. The upper portion of the steering-head which surrounds the screw D is split, as shown at d in Fig. 3, and clamped against the screw D by a tapering screw-nut,

E, which surrounds the split portion of the V steering -head. Upon screwing the nut E down on the steering-head the upper portion of the latter is compressed, whereby the adjustable center bearing, D is firmly looked after having been adj usted. It is obvious that the steering-head may be provided with a number of slits, if desired. The upper end of the screw-nut E is shaped to receive a wrench for turning the same.

F represents the dust-cap, secured to the upper end of the adjusting-screw D, and cov- ICO ering the same. The dustcap must be removed to adjust the screw D. If desired, the dustcap may be formed directly on the upper end of the nut E, as represented in Fig. 6. The spindle may be extended nearly to the top of the steering-head, as represented in the same figure, whereby a very long spindle is supplied, while the adjusting-screw D perfectly supports the upper end of the spindle against lateral movement, which prevents the steering-centers from wearing oval.

G represents the handlebar lug formed at the front side of the steering-head A, and composed of two inclined tubular arms or parts, g 9, connected at their lower ends and projecting upwardly and outwardly from the middle of the steering-head, as represented in Fig. 1.

H H represent the handle-bars, seated with their inner portions in the branches g g of the lug G, and having their inner ends overlapping each other and secured in the handle-bar lug by a fastening-screw, h. This construction of the handle-bar lug locates the seat or point of attachment of the handle-bars to the steering-head farther down than is possible with the usual constructions, and permits the bandle-bars to be made without areversed curve, while allowing the necessary room for the legs of the rider. The overlapping ends of the bars cause the latter to hold each other against turning in the lug and relieve the fasteningscrew from all strains excepting strains which act lengthwise of the handle-bars. The handle-bar lug is attached to the steering-head near the heavy portion of the head, and is therefore less liable to break, and as it is secured to the head near the middle of the spindle, the steering is somewhat improved. The inclined position of the lug-branches enables the handle-bar to spring more readily when the machine falls over sidewise, and strikes on the handle.

I represents the handle, made of the usual pear shape, or any other suitable form, and i is the tang formed at the outer end of the handle-bar H, and supporting the handle.

J is a ferrule or socket, secured in the handle I, and having its inner portion, j, pro vided with an internal screw-thread, which engages with an'external thread on the outer portion of the tang i. The outer portion, j, of the ferrule J is somewhat larger in diameter than the inner part thereof, and connected with the inner portion by a tapering portion, j

K represents a locking screw-sleeve arranged in the outer portion of the ferrule J around the tang i, and provided at its inner end with a tapering portion, which bears against the tapering portion j of the ferrule. This screw-sleeve is preferably split, as represented at k in Fig. 7, to lock the handle tightly on the tang upon screwing the sleeve K into the ferrule J. The latter is arranged on one side of the center line of the handle, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 7, so that upon loosening the handle on the tang and turning the handle the latter may be arranged to project or incline above or below the tang or forwardly or backwardly, as may be convenient.

It is obvious that the center line of the socket may be arranged on one side of the center line of the handle, or that it may intersect said center line; also, that the handle may be provided, in addition to the inclined socket, with a socket arranged centrally in the handle, so that the handle may be secured to the handle-bar in the ordinary position, if desired.

WVe claim as our invention- 1. The combination, with the steering-head and neck, of a spindle removably secured in the neck and held therein against turning, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the steering-head, of a neck provided with a screw-threaded socket and a screw-threaded spindle seated therein, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the steering-head and neck, of a spindle made vertically adj ustable in the neck, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the steering-head and neck, of a reversible spindle seated in the neck and having its centers arranged out of line with its seat, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the steering-head and the neck provided with a screw-threaded socket, of a spindle provided with a screw threaded portion engaging in said socket, and centers arranged out of line with said screwthreaded portion, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with the spindle and upper adjustable center bearing, of a split steering-head having an external screwthread, and a clamp-nut inclosing the split head, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the spindle,of the screw-bearing D, the steering-headA, provided with an upper split portion, and a tapering screw-nut, E, substantially as set forth.

8. The combinatiomwith the steering-head, of a handlebar lug composed of two sockets arranged at an angle to each other, substantially as set forth. V

9. The combination,with the steering-head, of a V-shaped handle-bar lug arranged with its point downward in front of the steeringhead, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination,with thesteering-head, of a handle-bar lug composed of two sockets joined at their lower ends and projecting upwardly and outwardly from their junction, and handle-bars having their inclined inner ends seated in said sockets, substantially as set forth.

11. The combinatiomwith the steering-head, of a handlebar lug composed of two sockets arranged at an angle to each other, and two handle-bars seated in said sockets and having their inner ends in contact with each other, whereby the bars are held from turning, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination, with the steering-head 15. The combination, with the handle-bar provided with a screw-threaded tang, i, of a 15 i handle, I, provided with a screw-threaded ferrule, J, having a tapering portion, j and a clamping-sleeve, K, substantially as set forth.

Witness our hands this 9th day of March, 1885. r

EMMIT G. LATTA. ADRIAN O. LATTA.

Witnesses:

F. B. CHURCH, Gno. W. RoBINsoN. 

